Thursday, March 31, 2011

The stars of the classic TV show DUKES OF HAZZARD stunned by tragic death!

Dukes star John Schneider broke the sad news to fans.

On April 16, The Dukes stars will reunite at Braemar Country Club to mourn their longtime director/stuntman Paul Baxley who also doubled for stars like Marlon Brando and James Dean.

Baxley passed earlier this month.

Baxley directed nine eps of The Dukes of Hazzard and performed hundreds of stunts on the show.

A crest fallen John Schneider has now asked Dukes devotees to join him and his fellow stars in remembering their fallen comrade.

"We have just received news of a ceremony to be held in his honor in April," Schneider e-mailed fans. "It will be attended by many of the cast and crew of The Dukes of Hazzard and it will be completely open to family, friends and fans."

Monday, March 28, 2011

Actor Farley Granger, best known for his starring roles in two Alfred Hitchcock films, "Strangers on a Train" and "Rope," died Sunday of natural causes in New York City. He was 85.

Granger appeared in two films noir of note, both co-starrring Cathy O'Donnell: Nicholas Ray's "They Live by Night" and Anthony Mann's "Side Street."

He later made a great many appearances on television, including stints on several soap operas. He also had a significant legit career, appearing on Broadway in "The Seagull," "The Crucible," "The Glass Menagerie" and "Deathtrap."

In 2007, Granger published a memoir, "Include Me Out," in which he freely discussed life with his partner, Robert Calhoun, and as a bisexual in Hollywood.

Calhoun, a producer on CBS' "As the World Turns," predeceased him about three years ago. Granger leaves no immediate survivors.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Joe Wizan, producer of films ranging from "...And Justice for All," with Al Pacino, to Morgan Freeman starrer "Along Came a Spider," died Monday, March 21, in Westlake Village, Calif., of natural causes after a long illness. He was 76.

Wizan started in the mailroom at William Morris and went to become a successful agent there and at London International Agency and Creative Management, the predecessor to ICM). Clients included Robert Altman, Sydney Pollack, Mark Rydell and John Boorman; agency proteges included Barry Diller, Jeff Berg, MGM prexy Mike Marcus and Mike Medavoy.

He segued into a career as a prolific producer, producing 24 films. In 1972 he produced three, including "Junior Bonner," with Steve McQueen, and "Jeremiah Johnson," with Robert Redford. He produced Robert Wise's 1977 thriller "Audrey Rose," and "...And Justice for All" in 1979.In the early to mid-'80s, as prexy of production at 20th Century Fox, he oversaw films including "Romancing the Stone," "Bachelor Party," "Revenge of the Nerds," "Ladyhawke," "Enemy Mine" and "Cocoon."

He produced the Burt Lancaster-Kirk Douglas reunion "Tough Guys" in 1986 and William Friedkin's "The Guardian" in 1990, and he was exec producer on "Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot!" In 1997 he made the first of two films based on James Patterson's Alex Cross novel: "Kiss the Girls," starring Freeman and Ashley Judd. The sequel, 2001's "Along Came a Spider," was Wizan's last movie.

Born in Monterrey, Mexico, Wizan grew up in the Boyle Heights section of East Los Angeles, went to UCLA and served in the National Guard.

During the 1990s he created and hosted talkradio show "Inside the Movies" (later "The A List") on Los Angeles radio station KRLA; his guests on the shows included actors, screenwriters, directors, producers and studio execs. More recently he served as an adjunct professor at UC Santa Barbara's film studies department.

He is survived by his wife, Melanie; a son and a daughter; two stepsons; two grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; and his sister.

Olivier Raoux, chief designer of "La Vie en Rose" won a Cesar for this contribution, has died at the age of 49 years, as a result of cardiac arrest.

A victim of cardiac arrest on the island of Mullein, where he had gone to prepare for the filming of “Seigneurs” by Olivier Dahan, the head designer Olivier Raoux died Tuesday, March 23, 2011 at age 49. Raoux was preparing to return to the director of “La Môme”, the film that earned him a César in 2008, and a British BAFTA nomination. Previously, he designed sets for numerous plays, including La Vérité si je mens 1 and 2 , Jet Set and “Rire et châtiment”. Also in the credits of “Rivières pourpres 2", Olivier Raoux was very busy since the triumph of “La Môme” and had recently worked on “Les Enfants de Trimpelbach” (with the key new appointment to Caesar in 2009), “La Rafle”, but the thriller “Proie” (in theaters next July) and the highly anticipated Marsupilami of Alain Chabat.

Helen Stenborg, an Obie Award-winning stage and film actress and long-time spouse of the late Tony Award-winning actor Barnard Hughes, died on Tuesday. She was 86. Stenborg was awarded the Obie for distinguished performance in 1986, when she appeared in Lanford Wilson’s Talley and Son. In 1999, she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance as the pyromaniac Sarita Myrtle in Noel Coward’s Waiting in the Wings, a production that starred her husband, Lauren Bacall, and Rosemary Harris. Her last Broadway performance was in 2002 as Rebecca Nurse in The Crucible with Liam Neeson and Laura Linney.

Stenborg also appeared on film in On the Hook with Frank Langella and Elliot Gould, Three Days of the Condor, Starting Over with Jill Clayburgh and Burt Reynolds, Enchanted and Doubt. She worked extensively in television, including a long stint as an evil housekeeper on the soap opera, Another World.

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Elizabeth Taylor, one of the last of the old-fashioned movie stars, has died.

Her publicist says Taylor was surrounded by her four children today when she died of congestive heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. She had been hospitalized for about six weeks.

Taylor was 79.

Her son, Michael Wilding, says his mother was "an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love." He says "her spirit will always be with us."

Taylor won three Academy Awards, two for acting and one for her humanitarian work, but is equally well known for her personal life.

The London-born actress was a star at age 12, a bride and a divorcee at 18, a superstar at 19 and a widow at 26. In all, she was married eight times -- twice to Richard Burton.

She was also afflicted by ill health. She underwent at least 20 major operations and she nearly died from a bout with pneumonia in 1990. In 1994 and 1995, she had both hip joints replaced, and in February 1997, she underwent surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. In 1983, she acknowledged a 35-year addiction to sleeping pills and pain killers. She was treated for alcohol and drug abuse problems at the Betty Ford Clinic.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Theater veteran, who was a member of the Theatre Club Quartet, Reuven Shefer passed away this morning at age 86.

The veteran theater actor, Reuven Schaffer was born in Tel Aviv in 1925 and joined the theater in the early seventies. He participated in plays "He Walked in the Fields", "Amadeus", "All My Sons", "As You Like It", "Joseph Cotton Stripes", "Merchant of Venice "and many others.

In 1957, he became a member of the Gideon Singers, with players Yaacov Ben Sira and the late Shimon Bar established the Theater Club Quartet, which continued singing and entertainment until 1967. The group was initially directed by Joseph Milo, a chamber veteran.

Later he also collaborated with Haim Hefer Dahn Ben-Amotz. Shefer wrote many songs for the quartet, including "This Panorama Street" and "Like Jaffa at Night", he appeared on stage at the Hamam Club in Jaffa.

Alongside his work in the theater, he appeared in the films "Saleh Returned", "Dalia Sailors", "Arbinkea", "Canal Belaumlich", "Azit Parachuting Dog" and "Charlie and a Half." In 2004 he took part in a series of documentaries "The Jewish State of Anat Zeltzer” and “Modi Bar - On” which dealt with Israeli humor. Reuven is survived by his wife, two daughters and five grandchildren. He will be laid to rest tomorrow in Yarkon Cemetery in Tel Aviv.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

The actor and director Wolfgang Spier died on Friday evening March 18, 2011 after a long illness at the age of 90 years in Berlin, his family announced on Saturday.

As the "King of the Boulevard" Spier had staged more than 250 plays at various German theaters. On Berlin's Kurfürstendamm Theater, he was an institution. There, he celebrated with Harald Juhnke and Günter Pfitzmann great success. Spier was famous for his comedy series "The Odd Couple" with Grit Böttcher, Harald Juhnke. As a voice actor, he lent his distinctive voice to Peter Cushing and Donald Pleasence. On television, he also hosted the shows "One Against All" and “Three Times a Liar."

Spier was born in Frankfurt, Germany on September 27, 1920 and came to Berlin in 1929. Spier really wanted to be doctor but that was denied him during the Nazi era, because of his Jewish origins. His path led him to Wiesbaden State Theatre and in 1950 he returned to Berlin, where he founded the Theatre Club in the British center. Following were more than five decades of his own productions and theater roles, ranging from boulevard comedy to Shakespeare. Spier also appeared in one DEFA East German western “Prairie in the City” 1971 and a TV movie called “Mixikanische Revolution in 1968.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Pep Torrents, actor and Catalan Spanish voice of Al Pacino in "The Godfather"

Voice actor Pep Torrents, who dubbed Al Pacino in “The Godfather” and became popular for his work on the series of TV-3 “Poble Nou”, “Nissaga de poder” and “El cor de la ciutat”, died at the age of 67 years on March 3, 2011 in Barcelona, Spain. Josep Torrents Garcia was born in Sabadell, Barcelona on September 3 1942 and worked in theater, film and television as well as being a director and voice actor. Pep started in the acting world in 1968 in the Cova del Drac, Tuset street of Barcelona. Since 1983 he has been devoted to aspects of dubbing director and voice actor and dubbed Alan Alda in “Manhattan Murder Mystery” and Anthony Hopkins in “The Elephant Man”, among many other actors, in Spanish.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Howard A. Roberts, a composer, conductor and musician whose wide-
ranging activities included theater and TV work as a musical director,
died March 10 in Chatsworth, Calif., of complications related to
diabetes. He was 86.

Roberts was musical director of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and the
Donald McKayle Dance companies and was musical director for Harry Belafonte. As an actor and singer, he created the role of Robbins in the 1952 international company of "Porgy and Bess" starring Leontyne Price, William Warfield and Cab Calloway. He was the first African American tenor soloist for the Robert Shaw Chorale.

Early performing experiences included playing trumpet in the bands of Lionel Hampton and Lucky Millinder and as both trumpet player and musical director for Cab Calloway.

In New York in the 1950s and 1960s he performed as a singer and actor in "Shinbone Alley" and "Carmen Jones."

On Broadway, Mr. Roberts was musical director and conductor for the Tony Award-winning musical "Raisin," the 1976 revival of "Guys and Dolls," "Comin' Uptown," "The Wiz" and "Trumpets of the Lord" and was choral arranger for "The Great White Hope."

TV credits as musical director or conductor include "The Strolling '20s," "Belafonte at the O'Keefe Center" and variety series "The Leslie Uggams Show" on CBS; and "The Duke Ellington Special" and "Alvin Ailey: Memories and Visions" on PBS. He drew Emmy nominations for 1972's "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" and 1983's "In Performance at the White House," both on PBS. His compositions include original scores for television, including "Cindy" on ABC, "Ten Blocks on the Camino Real" and "Black New World" on PBS, as well as the original score for the feature film "Lord Shango."

Roberts produced recordings at Columbia Records for Tony Bennett, Diahann Carroll, Miles Davis, Aretha Franklin, Rhetta Hughes, Bobby Scott, Barbra Streisand and Simon Estes. He also worked as arranger and/or conductor on recordings for Estes, as well as Lena Horne, Michel Legrand, Galt McDermott, the Roy Meriwether Trio, Billy Taylor, Pat Williams and the Broadway cast albums for "Raisin" and "Guys and Dolls." He conceived, produced and conducted albums under his own name with the Howard Roberts Chorale: "Dream a Little Dream of Me" on Kapp Records and "Let My People Go: Black Spirituals/African Drums" on Columbia Records.

Roberts' collaboration with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater began in 1958, including his creation of the musical score for the company's signature ballet "Revelations" in 1960. He spent 15 years as musical director and conductor for the company.

Roberts composed the full-length musical theater piece "The Sun Do Move"; the score for the European tour of James Baldwin's "The Amen Corner"; the original musical "Blackbirds"; "Harlem Sweet" (from the works of Langston Hughes); "Black New World"; and the original score for the AMAS Repertory Theater production and of Langston Hughes' "Black Nativity."

Born in Burlington, N.J., Roberts grew up in Cleveland. Roberts received his post-secondary education at Baldwin-Wallace College and Case Western Reserve U. and received his Bachelors of Music and Masters of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music.

He was a member of AFTRA, the American Federation of Musicians and Actors Equity. He was also a member of the National Assn. of Negro Musicians.

Roberts' wife of 47 years, singer-actress Doris Galiber, died in 2001. He is survived by a daughter, Kim Roberts Hedgpeth, national executive director of AFTRA; a son, Brian; and two grandchildren.

A funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, March 19, at 10 a.m., at the Angelus Funeral Home in Los Angeles, to be followed by a memorial service in New York City at a date to be determined in late March.

The actor Andrew Resino, which became very popular for her role as bad in the series 'The Super', has died at dawn on Sunday at age 70 as a result of cancer.

Europa Press March 14, 2011

The actor Andrés Resino Fernández, born in the town of Toledo, died yesterday evening at the clinic in Santa Cruz Mompia Bezana (Cantabria) after struggling in recent years against cancer. Resino was married to actress Eva León [1948- ] from 1962-1972 producer, assistant director, actress Mercedes Resino.

Andres Resino became very popular at the end of his career for his role in 'The Super', the renowned series of Telecinco in which he portrayed the evil character Alfonso Torres from 1996 to 1999.

However, the actor was also linked to other projects on small screen productions such as “Agente 700", “Canguros”, “Hermanos de leche” and “El a auténtico Ridrigo Leal” among others. Resino attended the university majoring in Political Science a the Escuela Oficial de Interpretación, intervino también en películas como “Días de viejo color”, “La noche de Walpurgis”, “La cólera del viento”, de Mario Camus, “Aunque la hormona se vista de seda” and “Los amantes de la isla del Diablo”. Resino also had a long theater career debuting in 1975.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Italian soap opera actress Marina Coffa passed away on March 8, 2011 in Rome, Italy. Born in Rome on October 16, 1951, Marina left school at 16 to appear in the Italian television series “La famiglia Benvenuti” playing the part of Simon the girl friend of son of Enrico Maria Salerno. The show made history as another of it’s participants Giusva Fioravanti was arrested in 1981 as a member of the terrorist group the NAR for killing a policeman in a Bologna train station. Marina would go on to appear in a handful of films including Umberto Lenzi’s “Paranoia”, and a theater play. After marrying twice and having five children she left the world of film, TV and stage to help her husband run an interior decorating business. Marina appeared in one Euro-western “The Last Rebel” starring Joe Namath, Jack Elam, Ty Hardin and Woody Strode.

Spanish character actor Joaquín Blanco passed away on February 28, 2011 after an eight month battle with liver cancer. The Barcelona based actor was active during the 1960s and ‘70s appearing in 19 films. He’s best remembered as Professor Barrett in “Hell of the Living Dead”. Blanco was born in Almeria, Spain on June 21, 1938. His father had died before Joaquín was born. He and his mother moved to Terrassa in 1941. He went to work at the age of eight. He and his mother worked in a hosiery factory. He later tried his had in other professions such as torero and insurance agent. At 18 he entered the world of advertising and comic books. Blanco spent six years living in Rome where he met Sandra Blanch who would become his wife. The couple had a daughter named Patricia born in 1977. Blanco’s films career began with “Pariahs of Glory” in 1964 and his last film appearance was in 2002's video “Soul Man”. Joaquín also wrote and directed two films, “Orgía sádica” in 1983 under the alis J. White and “Trampa para una esposa” (1991). He also used the alias John Russell. Blanco appeared in six Euro-westerns, among which were “God Forgives... I Don’t” (1967) with Terence Hill and Bud Spencer, “Gentleman Killer” (1967) with Anthony Steffen and “And God Said to Cain” (1970) with Klaus Kinski. Blanco had a fondness for the martial arts and held a second degree black belt in karate.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Indie label owner Robert P. Marcucci, who discovered teen idols Frankie Avalon and Fabian and served as the model for the title character in 1980 film "The Idolmaker," died of natural causes on March 9 in Ontario, Calif. He was 71.

Philadelphia-born Marcucci and Peter DeAngelis' label Chancellor Records fueled the teen idol craze of the late '50s and early '60s, the era following rock 'n' roll's first explosion and before the British Invasion of '64.

The imprint, distributed by powerful ABC-Paramount, clicked big with the handsome young vocalist Avalon (born Francis Avalone), who notched the No. 1 hits "Venus" and "Why" in 1959 and five other top 10 singles. Many were penned by Marcucci and DeAngelis.

The 16-year-old Philadelphian Fabiano Forte scored a trio of top 10 records under the moniker Fabian; among those was "Hound Dog Man," the title song for his 1959 feature film debut.

Marcucci took songwriting credits on some of his charges' movie vehicles, including Avalon's "Beach Party" and Fabian's "North to Alaska."

Philly-based DJ and TV host Dick Clark was instrumental in the success of Marcucci's acts. "It was very much 'American Bandstand' that helped launch Frankie Avalon and Fabian, both," Marcucci told writer John Broven.

DeAngelis died in 1982. Marcucci sold Chancellor to Digital Music Group in 2006.

Screenwriter Edward Di Lorenzo took Marcucci as the inspiration for Vinnie Vacarri, a high-voltage record man played by the late Ray Sharkey in Taylor Hackford's pic "The Idolmaker." Marcucci served as technical advisor and had a bit role as a nightclub heckler in the film.

Marcucci went on to co-produce 1984 Bill Murray dramatic vehicle "The Razor's Edge" and the 1985 TV remake of "A Letter to Three Wives." He was later active in talent management.

Survivors include his son Marc. Son Robert Anthony Marcucci, an actor, predeceased him.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

The artist, author and interpreter of a vast romantic songs, died this morning at age 88, in Buenos Aires. With its boleros, songs, ballads, tangos and other dances nurtured the repertory of many performers.

The composer Mario Clavell, who was the author and interpreter of a vast romantic songs, died this morning at age 88, in Buenos Aires. With its boleros, songs, ballads, tangos and other dances nurtured the repertory of the most sought after performers.

"My father was dragging several complications that were aggravating," said Margaret, daughter of the artist who was born on October 9, 1922.

The daughter of Mario Clavel, who shone in several countries and was highlighted from songs like "Hold me like this", "Us" or "I want to be" announced that there will be no wake and Clavell's remains will be buried tomorrow morning Memorial in the private cemetery of the locality of Pilar.

The Mexican actress, who in the late 80's and early 90's led the winning time and in full swing at age 71 died of cancer

Mexican actress Kippy Casado died Sunday morning at 71 years of age.

Known more for the generations of the eighties and nineties shows as host of competitions, Casado also participated in several films.

Is etched in the collective memory of the Mexicans their program earn the time , which it held, she was one of the most successful betting Televisa between 1987 and 1990 and launched the careers of Gabriela Rivero , known as the master Ximena of Carousel as well as his own son, Juan Jose , who popularized the dance "The meneíto" and again later to duet on the show in full swing . It is also impossible to forget a "henpecked husband" as he called the canary Married guess the fate of the contestants.

In addition to Juan Jose Casado Alby is survived by her daughter and granddaughter, Elvia.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Darlene Lucht Brimmer, aka Ms. Tara Ashton of Franklin, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly on March 4, 2011 of natural causes. Born on March 17, 1938 to the late Gilbert and Leona Lucht, she studied acting at the Fred Miller Theatre, studied and taught modeling for Rosemary Bischoff; was a photographer's model and awarded the title of Miss

Milwaukee in 1959. She went to Hollywood, where her agent Henry Wilson renamed her Tara Ashton, worked for the Steve Allen Show, for Jerry Lewis, appeared in the movie "Marriage on the Rocks" with Dean Martin, appeared in some of the "Beach Blanket" movies and in "Haunted Palace" with Vincent Price among others. She joined Debra Reynold's, Hollywood Christian Group, helped Frank Sinatra host a party for the Astronauts in Florida, dated other stars including Elvis Presley and Chad Everett until she met the love of her life actor Robert Dix. They married, she joined the Baha'i faith and had a son Rob, which caused her to return to Milwaukee to raise him with the help of her parents. She was an MGIC executive secretary and continued modeling until she retired. Although reticent to talk about her early days, she maintained contact with her old friends in Hollywood, including Harvey Korman and wife Donna and others.

She will be be deeply missed by her dear friends, Ken, Carla, Mark; the entire Milwaukee Bahai community, her beloved son Rob and his devoted wife Lynn, her sons and grandchildren; her ex-husband Robert Brimmer Dix, his wife and family.

For several recent years, Darlene has provided devotion readings for the Sunday morning services at the Milwaukee Baha'i Center. Private funeral services are pending.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Italian director and screenwriter Angelo D’Alessandro passed away on February 1, 2011 in Rome. He was 84.

Most of D’Alessandro’s creative ability was used in Italian television and documentary films. He was the creator of the TV series “The Living Gospel” for RAI. Among his credits were as director and screenwriter of the Euro-western mini-series that was later released as a feature film, “The Jack London Story” (1973). Born in Putignano, Bari, Italy on April 17, 1926, he enrolles as a physics student at the Free Academy of Theatre run by director Peter Scharoff where he graduated in 1948. Later after attending the Centro Sperimentale di Cinema in 1951 he worked as an assistant to Lattuada, Fellini and Lizzani, making his debut as a director with “The Attic” (1955). In 1998 he was a collaborator on the magazine “Cinema” as a theater critic.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Charles Jarrott, 83, a British film and TV director best known for the Hal Wallis productions "Anne of the Thousand Days" and "Mary, Queen of Scots," died Friday at the Motion Picture Home retirement community in Woodland Hills, according to Jaime Larkin, a spokeswoman for the Motion Picture and Television Fund. He had prostate cancer.

Although "Anne of the Thousand Days" (1969) was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including best picture, and "Mary, Queen of Scots" (1971) received five Oscar nominations, Jarrott was not recognized by the academy for his work on the historical costume dramas. Other films he directed included the 1977 melodrama "The Other Side of Midnight" and the 1973 musical remake of "Lost Horizon."

Jarrott was born June 16, 1927, in London and during World War II served in the British Royal Navy after his mother agreed to let him join as a teenager. He started in the entertainment business as a stage manager and an actor. He began directing stage and television productions in England before moving to Canada, where he acted and directed.

His TV directing credits include "The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" starring Jack Palance and airing on ABC in 1968, and "Poor Little Rich Girl" with Farrah Fawcett playing Barbara Hutton in 1987.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Spanish actor José Conde, who had been missing one month, was found dead last Friday in an abandoned building near his home.

Lively and energetic, the actor was widely known for his many supporting roles in numerous films and television series for more than two-decade career. He was 56 years and among his works include roles in TV series such as “Sin Tetas no paradise”', ”Family Doctor”, “Central Hospital 'or' central Brigade". He had also recently appeared in “Time for Jose Mota” and “23-F: History of a betrayal”.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

He may not be a household name himself, but photographer George Courtney Ward worked with some legends in his time.

George, who died at his home in Westbourne on Tuesday, February 15, aged 93, photographed some of the most famous names in cinema during his 30 years working at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire.

Dirk Bogarde, Michael Caine, Frank Sinatra, Lauren Bacall, Alec Guinness and Kenneth More were just some of the screen stars in George’s portfolio.

He was understood to be a good friend of Lord Attenborough and worked on some of the best-loved British films, including Oliver Twist in 1948, This Sporting Life in 1963 and Great Expectations in 1946, and also designed the artwork for Brief Encounter.

George was born in Christchurch in 1917 and grew up in the town before becoming a stills photographer at Pinewood.

At first he commuted, but shortly moved to Fulmer in Buckinghamshire with his mother and aunt.

After more than 30 years working at Pinewood, George moved to Elstree studios in 1969 when the photographic department was closed down.

But when that studio was taken over in 1972, he decided to sell his house, retire and move back down to Bournemouth.

George had no close family, but his dearest friend, John Smith, remembers him as his “second father”.

The pair met while they were both working in the photographic department at Elstree.

“He was a very independent man and he had a great love of music,” remembers John, who would visit George regularly and phone him almost every day.

“He had a wonderful knowledge of music, going back to the 1930 and 1940s, and musical films, he had a great love of that as well. One of his idols was Dick Powell.”

John, who lives in Hertfordshire with his wife Beryl, added: “He was a wonderful listener with a great sense of humour.

“He was a like a father to my wife and my son and he treated me as his own son because he really didn’t have any close family.

“He was a wonderful man, totally respected in the industry. He made a lot of friends, everybody loved him, he was very, very warm.

“I learnt a lot from him. I’ve lost a great friend and really a second father.”

George’s funeral takes place at 12pm on Tuesday March 8 Bournemouth Crematorium.

About Me

Born in Toledo, Ohio in 1946 I have a BA degree in American History from Cal St. Northridge. I've been researching the American West and western films since the early 1980s and visiting filming sites in Spain and the U.S.A. Elected a member of the Spaghetti Western Hall of Fame 2010.